As the tears fall from my eyes
Like rain from a swollen cloud,
I look up at him, standing there,
With a look of helplessness on his face.

He has seen me throw temper tantrums
And bawl when I was a tiny child, or
Even when I was an elementary shcool kid,
But never has he seen my heart broken.

He comes to me, hesitent at first,
A child, tottering on his first steps.
His hand reaches out for my shoulder,
His first offering to me, his first attempt.

As my eyes meet his, and he sees the depth
Of my despair there, I see the tears well
Up in his eyes too. He pulls me close to him,
Holding my head tight against his own head.

When I feel as if I can cry no more, when it
Seems that no more tears will come, he holds
My head in his hands, looks deep into my eyes,
And tells me it will be okay. I believe him, for he is my father.